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Short filmTranscript
00:01For 300 years, Valon had been ruled by the wolf clans.
00:06My father was the reigning wolf king, and I was his only daughter Lux.
00:11When I was 14, I awakened my wolf spirit under the full moon.
00:15In front of every clan, my father announced,
00:18When comes of age, she will become the youngest queen Valon has ever seen.
00:24To bind the major clans to their future queen, my father chose three future concords for me.
00:30Cyrus of the Eagle Clan was cold and sharp.
00:34But whenever I lost my temper, he was always the first to lower his head.
00:38Princess, you may ask anything of me.
00:40Casper of the White Tiger Clan was beautiful, gentle, and far too good at making me smile.
00:49Princess, I cannot imagine my life without you.
00:53And then there was Vidicor of the Wolf Clan.
00:56My own kind.
00:58My childhood companion.
01:00The boy who had knelt before me in the Wolf King's Hall when I was 14, and sworn he would
01:05never betray me.
01:08Princess, I will always stand behind you, no matter what happens.
01:12I will never betray you.
01:13Only the man I favored most would wear the king consort's crown and stand beside me.
01:19Everyone believed my consort would be chosen from those three.
01:25So did they.
01:28So when a human healer named Lillia appeared, they dared to cross my limits again and again.
01:39Cyrus used his consort candidate's access pass to shield Lila's infirmary.
01:44Casper broke the White Tiger Clan's most private rule for her.
01:49Vedicor brought Lillia into the Wolf Bloodline's sacred healing pool.
01:54That water belonged only to the Wolf King's family.
01:57Worse.
01:59When she walked out, she was wearing the plain grey dress he had given me on my 16th birthday, a
02:06gift I had kept for years.
02:08I went to confront them.
02:10They thought I was spoiled, possessive, not understanding.
02:16They thought that no matter how angry I became, I would still choose one of them in the end.
02:22But to me, a queen's throne had no room for disloyal men.
02:26Three days before my coronation, I burned the portraits of my three consort candidates, turned to my father and said,
02:33I choose Prince Atreus of the Snake Clan.
02:38My father's hand froze around the royal seal.
02:42The Snake Prince.
02:45Lux, do you understand what you are saying?
02:49I know.
02:50Atticus comes from the Black Marsh.
02:52The Snake Clan has been shunned by every clan for over a century.
02:57They are called dark, greedy, seductive.
03:01When they love, they wrap around you and swallow you whole.
03:10Your coronation is days away, and you want to put a man of the Snake Clan in the King Kong's
03:15place?
03:16Father, you taught me a crown should never be worn by someone who lets others choose for her.
03:21I lifted my eyes to his.
03:24They believe I cannot live without them.
03:27Then I will show them that their future queen can choose someone else.
03:33My father was silent for a long time.
03:37After a long silence, he slowly set down the seal.
03:42I can summon Atreus to the royal city for you.
03:47But think carefully.
03:49Once he steps onto the coronation platform, this decision will shake all of Valon.
03:55I am not doing this out of spite.
03:57I want loyalty.
04:01When I left the royal study, night had already fallen.
04:06At the far end of the palace corridor, the path leading to Lillia's infirmary was still lit.
04:14I should have gone straight back to my chambers.
04:18But that light at the end of the corridor was too bright.
04:21It stabbed at my eyes.
04:23So I turned and walked toward it.
04:25The infirmary was crowded.
04:27A wolf pup had been burning with fever until his throat was hoar from crying.
04:34Lillia knelt on the floor with her sleeves rolled to her elbows, a small knife in her hand,
04:39about to cut open the infected wound on the pup's back.
04:42The pup's mother shook all over.
04:45You're human.
04:47Can you really save my child?
04:49If I don't drain the infection now, he won't survive the night.
04:52She had come to the royal city three months ago.
04:56She was a human healer.
04:58No wolf spirit.
05:01No animal form.
05:03Not a drop of noble blood.
05:06Yet she dared to walk into the territory of the beast clans,
05:10as if fear had no hold over her.
05:15Everyone said she was gentle and brave.
05:17Everything my spoiled arrogance was not.
05:23I knew better than to trust that innocent face.
05:27Lillia knew very well that Cyrus, Casper, and Vedicore were supposed to become my concert candidates.
05:35Yet she still kept accidentally drawing close to them.
05:39Men of the Eagle Clan hated crowds.
05:42Cyrus especially.
05:45But now, not only was he personally handing Lillia medicine,
05:49he had also hung his candidate's access pass outside her infirmary door,
05:53using his own name to protect the place.
05:55My voice turned cold.
06:00Cyrus.
06:01Come here.
06:02Cyrus lifted his eyes to me.
06:11He did not move.
06:12He had never defied me before.
06:17When I was fourteen,
06:19my father brought him before me.
06:22His black wings were folded behind his back,
06:26his expression distant.
06:30Yet he was the first to bow his head.
06:34Once,
06:34I had deliberately tossed a palace pass to the edge of the highest tower,
06:39and asked if he dared retrieve it for me.
06:44If it is what your highness wants,
06:46I will bring it back with my own hands.
06:48Later, he injured his shoulder in the storm,
06:51but still placed that pass back into my palm.
06:53But now,
06:54he stood beside Lillia and disobeyed me for the first time.
06:59I repeated myself.
07:01Cyrus,
07:02I told you to come here.
07:05Lillia's hand tightened around the knife.
07:08Cyrus finally walked toward me,
07:10but stopped halfway.
07:14Lux,
07:15don't make a scene here.
07:16A child is dying.
07:18Don't make everyone watch you throw a tantrum just because I helped Lillia.
07:22I stared at him.
07:25You hung a consort Candida's access pass outside Lillia's infirmary.
07:32She needed someone powerful enough to keep the clans from interfering.
07:37So you used the authority of my future consort to protect her.
07:42Cyrus,
07:44my father gave you that pass so you could enter the royal hall and support me.
07:48Not so you could become her shield.
07:52Cyrus's face darkened.
07:54You think the whole continent should revolve around you.
07:57Lux,
07:58a crown is not a leash you use to keep everyone at your side.
08:05Lillia murmured softly.
08:09Cyrus,
08:10don't.
08:10The softer she sounded,
08:12the more unreasonable I looked.
08:15Like a mad,
08:16jealous princess throwing a tantrum in front of a dying child.
08:22I looked at.
08:24Are you sure you want to stay by Lillia's side?
08:27The pup may relapse.
08:30Lillia cannot handle everything alone.
08:35After Esai Meath ran the return to the palace,
08:38I did not throw a fence.
08:41I did not smash anything.
08:43I simply summoned the steward and gave a calm order.
08:47Clear out the rooms Cyrus,
08:49Caspar,
08:50and Vidver Dedevok kept in the palace.
08:53The steward went pale.
08:55Your Highness,
08:57those are the rooms of the three consort candidates.
08:59They won't need them for much longer.
09:04Less than half an hour later,
09:06Caspar arrived.
09:07He wore a loose,
09:09white robe,
09:10and his silver-white hair was still damp,
09:13as though he had rushed back from outside.
09:15Before,
09:16if my tone went even slightly cold,
09:19he would immediately soften his voice and coax me.
09:23Sometimes he would shift into his white tiger form
09:26and lower himself before my throne,
09:29letting me touch the mark between his brows.
09:32But this time,
09:33he stood at the door with red-rimmed eyes.
09:36Your Highness,
09:37why are you clearing out my room?
09:39I sat at my desk,
09:41writing a letter to the Snake Clan.
09:43There was only one sentence on the paper.
09:46On the night of my coronation,
09:48Prince Atirius of the Snake Clan
09:50is invited to the royal city.
09:51I did not look up.
09:53Don't you prefer staying with Lilia?
09:56Caspar stiffened.
09:58I was only helping her.
10:00I set down my pen and lifted my eyes.
10:03Helping her so thoroughly
10:05that you let her ride your animal form?
10:07His face changed.
10:11I took out a memory stone
10:13and pressed it lightly against the desk.
10:18Light unfolded in the air.
10:20In the clearing behind the herb garden,
10:23Lilia stood in her pale healer's dress,
10:25holding onto a massive white tiger
10:27as she climbed onto his back.
10:29He lowered his spine
10:31and even curled his tail around her calf
10:34to keep her from falling.
10:35The white tiger lowered his head
10:38and let her hand rest on the mark
10:40between his brows.
10:42In that image,
10:44he was strong and beautiful,
10:47but he had given an outsider
10:49the one posture of surrender
10:50he should hone.
10:52To me.
10:53You once told me,
10:55the white tiger clan
10:56does not allow outsiders
10:58to ride their animal form.
11:00When we were 14,
11:02he shifted into his adult white tiger form
11:05in front of me
11:06for the first time.
11:07I wanted to sit on his back.
11:11He went silent for a long moment,
11:14then finally lowered his spine.
11:20Your Highness May.
11:22No one else.
11:24Now someone else could.
11:26Casper's face went from white to red.
11:31Leah was exhausted that day.
11:33I was just taking her back to the infirmary.
11:36She's human.
11:37She can't walk that far.
11:40I was only being helpful.
11:42You needed your animal form to be helpful?
11:45He frowned,
11:46irritation finally rising in his eyes.
11:52Lux,
11:53do you have to twist everything
11:54into something dirty?
11:55She is human.
11:57She doesn't have an animal form.
11:59She doesn't understand these rules.
12:02She doesn't understand.
12:04Do you?
12:06Casper had no answer.
12:10And before tonight,
12:12remove everything that belongs to you
12:15from the palace.
12:17Tears spilled from Casper's eyes.
12:20Are you really going to be this heartless?
12:23Yes.
12:24I handed the sealed letter to a guard.
12:28Send it to the Black Marsh.
12:30Place it in a Tricus's hands.
12:32Casper's head snapped up.
12:34Atacus,
12:35why are you writing to the Snake Clan?
12:41The Snake Clan's reply
12:43arrived the next morning.
12:45The black envelope
12:47was sealed with wax
12:49in the shape of a serpent.
12:51It contained only four words.
12:55Atticus's reply,
12:57as you wish.
13:00I placed the letter in a drawer
13:02and was about to go see my father
13:04when a maid rushed in,
13:05pale and breathless.
13:10Your Highness,
13:11Lord Vedicore brought Lila
13:13to your healing pool.
13:15My fingers stilled.
13:19The healing pool lay in Aneth,
13:22in the deepest part of the palace.
13:26Its water came from
13:27the Wolf Clan's sacred spring
13:29and was reserved
13:30for the Wolf King's bloodline alone.
13:33Every time I was injured during training,
13:36Vedicore would personally guard the entrance.
13:39No one else was allowed near it.
13:42He once said,
13:44This is your place.
13:46No one else belongs here.
13:49Now he had brought Liliya inside.
13:51When I arrived,
13:53Liliya had just stepped out of the pool.
13:55She wore a pale, grey dress.
13:58I recognized it at once.
14:00It was the dress Vedicore had given me
14:03on my 16th birthday.
14:05An ordinary, pale, grey dress.
14:08The fabric was not expensive.
14:11The fabric was not expensive.
14:12But Vedicore had bought it
14:13with the reward from his first patrol hunt.
14:16I still remembered how shy he looked
14:18when he handed it to me.
14:20Your Highness,
14:21I hope you like it.
14:23Liliya was wearing it now.
14:26The hem was damp from the healing pool
14:28and clung to her legs.
14:32Vedicore stood beside her,
14:34checking the wound on her arm.
14:38When he saw me,
14:39he frowned.
14:41Lux, why are you here?
14:46Is there any place in Valon
14:48I am not allowed to enter?
14:53Vedicore,
14:53who gave you permission
14:55to touch my clothes?
14:57Liliya hurried to her feet,
14:59her face pale.
15:02Your Highness,
15:04I'm sorry.
15:06I didn't know this dress was yours.
15:10Vericore said it was just
15:11the plainest dress in an old wardrobe.
15:13I looked at Vedicore.
15:15He truly had not recognized it.
15:19Or perhaps he had simply
15:20never cared enough to remember.
15:22After a pause,
15:24he said,
15:26She was cut by poisonous grass.
15:28Ordinary medicine would not work.
15:31I only borrowed your healing pool.
15:34Borrowed?
15:35You have so many fine dresses.
15:38He lowered his voice.
15:40Why are you losing your temper
15:42over the plainest old dress
15:43in the wardrobe?
15:44Something slammed hard
15:45into my chest.
15:48He had forgotten.
15:51He had forgotten
15:52that he had given me
15:53that dress.
15:54He had forgotten
15:55how he once promised
15:57it would keep me company
15:58in his place.
15:59He had also forgotten
16:00that the Wolf Clan's
16:01Sacred Spring
16:02was not meant for outsiders.
16:04I walked over to Liliya,
16:07grabbed the healer's coat
16:08from the back of a chair,
16:10and tossed it into her arms.
16:13Liliya stumbled back in fright.
16:17Vedicore immediately
16:18stepped in front of her.
16:20Lux!
16:23I looked at the old dress,
16:25wet and clinging to her body.
16:28Do you remember the oath
16:29you swore to me
16:30when we were fourteen?
16:33Vedicore's expression shifted.
16:36Of course he remembered.
16:38That year,
16:39under the full moon,
16:41I awakened my wolf spirit.
16:42A silver-white wolf shadow
16:44rose behind me,
16:47and the entire royal city cheered.
16:52Vedicore had knelt before me
16:54and pressed his forehead
16:55to the back of my hand.
16:58I swear by the moon goddess,
17:01I will be loyal to you forever.
17:04Now he stood in front of Liliya,
17:06blocking me from her.
17:08Do not shame the moon goddess
17:10by making her witness
17:11what you have become.
17:14Liliya bit her lip.
17:16Your Highness,
17:17I can leave.
17:18Please don't blame him.
17:20Shut up.
17:21Vedicore's face
17:22instantly turned cold.
17:24Lux,
17:25that is enough.
17:27You're raising your voice
17:29at me for her?
17:30I am warning you.
17:33Your coronation
17:34is tomorrow night.
17:36You cannot keep acting
17:38like a spoiled child
17:40who tears everything apart
17:41the moment someone
17:42stops pleasing her.
17:44I stared at him.
17:48Spoiled?
17:50Yes.
17:52If you continue like this,
17:54you do not deserve
17:56to wear your father's crown.
17:58I turned to the guards.
18:01From this day forward,
18:03without my permission,
18:05Vadicore and Liliya
18:06are forbidden
18:07from entering
18:07the inner palace.
18:12I walked away
18:13without looking back.
18:18Soon it was the night
18:20before my coronation.
18:22In the mirror,
18:23I wore a black and gold gown
18:25with the heir's cloak
18:26of the Wolf King
18:27draped over my shoulders.
18:29Every year before this,
18:31those three would compete
18:33to be the first to see me
18:34on my birthday.
18:38Cyrus would wait
18:40outside the highest tower
18:41the night before
18:42and escort me back
18:44to my room.
18:45Caspar would prepare
18:46an entire table
18:47of sweets himself,
18:49then carry me
18:50across the snowy plains
18:52around the royal city
18:53in his white tiger form.
18:56Vadicore would take me
18:57to the tower
18:57and stay with me
18:58until the first touch
18:59of moonlight fell over my hand.
19:00I thought there would be
19:02none of that this year.
19:04But they still came.
19:07Cyrus entered first,
19:09holding an auxinian hairpin.
19:12Happy birthday, Lux.
19:14The hairpin was beautiful,
19:17but I remembered
19:18seeing an almost identical one
19:20outside Lila's infirmary
19:21three days ago.
19:22That one had been lighter,
19:25better suited to a human woman.
19:27I accepted it.
19:29I was harsh that day,
19:31but Lila was only
19:32trying to save a life.
19:34She did not deserve
19:36to be targeted by you.
19:39Caspar brought
19:40a white tiger carving.
19:43The carving was rough.
19:45I didn't do a very good job,
19:47but you once said
19:48I liked things
19:49I made by hand.
19:51Vadicore was the last
19:52to arrive.
19:53He held a newly forged
19:55silver ring.
19:56Lux,
19:58I will not let you
19:59lose face
19:59at the coronation tomorrow.
20:01No matter
20:02whom you choose,
20:03I will stand
20:04on your side.
20:07But you should also
20:08ease up on Lila.
20:10She is human.
20:11She cannot withstand
20:12the hatred
20:13of the royal court.
20:14Only then did the truth
20:15of their apology
20:16show itself.
20:19They wanted to confirm
20:20whether they still
20:21had a chance
20:22to become my concert.
20:24And they also wanted
20:26a safe road
20:27for Lila.
20:28I placed all three
20:30gifts in a box.
20:31I understand.
20:34They all looked
20:35at me at once.
20:37Perhaps they had not
20:38expected me
20:39to be so calm.
20:42Caspar asked carefully,
20:44You're not angry
20:45anymore?
20:46Tomorrow is my
20:47coronation.
20:48I will not argue
20:50with you tonight.
20:53After they left,
20:54I handed the box
20:55to a maid.
20:57Bring this to the
20:57coronation platform
20:58tomorrow.
21:00The maid frowls.
21:01Your highness,
21:02why?
21:03I looked at the
21:04full moon outside
21:05my window.
21:06As evidence.
21:09When the moon
21:10rose to its
21:11highest point,
21:12the coronation
21:13bells rang
21:14through the royal
21:15city.
21:15My father stood
21:17at the top
21:17of the highest
21:18steps in the
21:18black cloaking
21:19of the wolf king.
21:20His voice carried
21:22across the square.
21:23For three hundred
21:24years,
21:25Valon has been
21:26guarded by the
21:26wolf clans.
21:27Today,
21:28I hand the crown
21:30to my daughter,
21:31Lux.
21:32She awakened
21:33her wolf spirit
21:34at fourteen
21:34and will be
21:36crowned at eighteen.
21:37She will be
21:38the youngest queen
21:39this continent
21:39has ever seen!
21:42I climbed the
21:43steps one by one.
21:45Cyrus,
21:46Caspar,
21:47and Vadikor
21:48stood below
21:49in the ceremonial
21:50attire of
21:50consort candidates.
21:53They watched me
21:54with nervousness
21:55in their eyes.
21:57My father
21:58placed the crown
21:59on my head.
22:01The entire
22:02square knelled.
22:08Your majesty!
22:10Your majesty!
22:14The priest
22:15brought forward
22:16the king
22:17consort's crown.
22:18According to
22:19tradition,
22:19I was supposed
22:20to walk towards
22:21one of the three
22:22candidates.
22:23Cyrus took
22:24half a step
22:24forward.
22:26Caspar held
22:27his breath.
22:28A faint light
22:29of hope
22:29rosens in
22:30Vadikor's wolf
22:31eyes.
22:33I took the
22:34consort crown
22:34and faced
22:35the crowd.
22:37The man
22:38I choose
22:39as king
22:40consort
22:40is
22:42Prince Atilius
22:43of the
22:44snake clan!
22:47The snake
22:48clan?
22:49Has the queen
22:50lost her mind?
22:52How can
22:54a snake
22:54become
22:55king
22:55consort?
22:57Cyrus'
22:57expression
22:58changed
22:58instantly.
23:00Caspar
23:01nearly
23:01lost his
23:02balance.
23:03Vadikor
23:03stared at
23:04me as
23:04though he
23:05had not
23:05understood
23:06the words.
23:07From the
23:07shadows at
23:08the side
23:08of the
23:09platform,
23:10a man
23:10slowly
23:11stepped
23:11forward.
23:13Atatia
23:13stopped
23:14in front
23:14of me
23:15and asked
23:15softly,
23:16You can
23:17still regret
23:17this,
23:18your majesty.
23:20I held
23:21out the
23:21king
23:21consort's
23:22crown.
23:23K'neil.
23:24Atticus
23:25smiled.
23:30Under the
23:31eyes of
23:31the entire
23:32continent,
23:33he dropped
23:33to one
23:34knee and
23:34kissed
23:35my
23:35fingertips.
23:37My
23:38queen.
23:38I was
23:39about to
23:40place the
23:40crown on
23:41his head
23:41when
23:41Vadikor
23:42finally
23:42rushed
23:43up the
23:43steps.
23:47Lux!
23:48You
23:49cannot
23:49choose
23:49him!
23:50Cyrus
23:51also
23:51stepped
23:52forward.
23:53Are you
23:54still
23:54angry?
23:55If this
23:56is meant
23:57to punish
23:57us,
23:58you do
23:58not have
23:59to go
23:59this
23:59far.
24:01Casper's
24:02eyes were
24:02red.
24:03Your
24:04highness,
24:04you
24:05accepted
24:06our
24:06gifts
24:06last
24:06night.
24:07I
24:08looked
24:08at
24:08him.
24:10Accepting
24:11them did
24:11not mean
24:12forgiving
24:12you.
24:15Vedicor
24:16gritted
24:16his
24:17teeth.
24:17I
24:18am
24:18Vedicor.
24:19I
24:20grew
24:21up
24:21with
24:21you.
24:22There
24:23is
24:23no
24:23way
24:24you
24:24would
24:24truly
24:25choose
24:25a
24:25snake.
24:26Atticus
24:27bared
24:27his
24:27fangs.
24:29I
24:29placed
24:30a
24:30light
24:30hand
24:30on
24:31his
24:31shoulder,
24:31telling
24:32him
24:32not
24:32to
24:32move.
24:33Guards!
24:34Zoom!
24:40The
24:41wolf
24:41guards
24:41immediately
24:42stepped
24:42forward
24:43and
24:43blocked
24:43the
24:43three
24:44men
24:44below
24:44the
24:44steps.
24:46Cyrus
24:46looked
24:47at
24:47me
24:47in
24:47disbelief.
24:48You
24:48are
24:48restraining
24:49us
24:49in
24:49public!
24:52I
24:52turned
24:53to
24:53face
24:53my
24:54people.
24:57At
24:57my
24:58signal,
24:58a maid
24:59carried
24:59forward
25:00three
25:00memory
25:01stones.
25:02These
25:02were the
25:03pieces
25:03of
25:03evidence
25:04I
25:04had
25:04gathered
25:04over
25:05the
25:05past
25:05three
25:05days.
25:08You
25:09called
25:09me
25:09spoiled,
25:11petty,
25:13unworthy
25:13of the
25:14crown.
25:14Then
25:15let
25:15all
25:15of
25:15Valen
25:16see
25:16who
25:17is
25:17truly
25:17unworthy
25:18of
25:18standing
25:19beside
25:19the
25:20queen.
25:22The
25:22first
25:23memory
25:23stone
25:23lit
25:24up.
25:24The
25:24first
25:25memory
25:25showed
25:26the
25:26infirmary.
25:27Cyrus
25:27stood
25:28behind
25:28her,
25:29blocking
25:29away
25:30every
25:30clan
25:30member
25:31who
25:31questioned
25:31her.
25:35Don't
25:36be
25:36afraid.
25:38I'll
25:39always
25:39protect
25:40you.
25:42As
25:43soon as
25:43those
25:43words
25:44rang
25:44out,
25:45many
25:45eyes
25:45in
25:46the
25:46square
25:46turned
25:46towards
25:47me.
25:48Because
25:48when I
25:49was
25:49fourteen,
25:50after
25:50Cyrus
25:50carried
25:51me
25:51down
25:51from
25:52the
25:52Storm
25:52Lath
25:53Tower,
25:54he
25:54had
25:54said
25:54the
25:55exact
25:55same
25:56words
25:56to
25:56me.
25:57I
25:58looked
25:58at
25:58him.
25:59You
26:00said
26:00she
26:00deserved
26:01respect.
26:02I
26:02do
26:03not
26:03disagree.
26:04But
26:05when
26:05you
26:05used
26:05a
26:06promise
26:06meant
26:06for
26:06your
26:07future
26:07queen
26:08to
26:08comfort
26:08another
26:09woman,
26:10did
26:11you
26:11remember
26:12who
26:12you
26:12were?
26:13Cyrus'
26:14face
26:14turned
26:15white.
26:16But
26:16no
26:17words
26:17came
26:17out.
26:18The
26:19second
26:19memory
26:20stone
26:20lit
26:20up.
26:21In
26:21the
26:22herb
26:22garden,
26:23Caspar
26:23shifted
26:24into
26:24his
26:24adult
26:24white
26:25tiger
26:25form
26:25and
26:26lowered
26:26his
26:26proud
26:27back.
26:28Lelia
26:29climbed
26:29onto
26:29him.
26:30and
26:30placed
26:31her
26:31hand
26:31against
26:31the
26:32mark
26:32between
26:32his
26:33brows.
26:33Then
26:34the
26:34image
26:34changed
26:35again.
26:36At
26:37night
26:37in the
26:37infirmary,
26:38Caspar
26:39had shifted
26:39halfway
26:40back to
26:41human
26:41form.
26:42His
26:43silver
26:43white
26:43hair
26:44spilled
26:44over
26:44over
26:44shoulders.
26:46Lelia
26:47banded
26:47the
26:48wound
26:48he
26:48had
26:48suffered
26:49while
26:49testing
26:49medicine.
26:50He
26:51lowered
26:51his
26:51head
26:52and
26:52kissed
26:53her
26:53fingertip.
26:54Lelia
26:55did not
26:56pull
26:56away.
26:57The
26:57square
26:57erupted.
26:59The
26:59elder
27:00of the
27:00white
27:00tiger
27:01clan
27:01turned
27:01iron-faced.
27:03Tears
27:03fell
27:03from
27:04At
27:04Caspar's
27:04eyes.
27:07I
27:08was
27:08feverish
27:09from
27:09the
27:09medicine.
27:10Lux,
27:12I
27:12never
27:13meant
27:13to
27:13betray
27:13you.
27:15What
27:15you
27:16meant
27:17does
27:18not
27:18change
27:18what
27:19you
27:19did.
27:20You
27:20told
27:20me
27:21yourself
27:21that
27:22only
27:22a
27:22chosen
27:22mate
27:23may
27:23ride
27:23the
27:24white
27:24tiger
27:24clan's
27:25animal
27:25form.
27:26You
27:26crossed
27:27the
27:27line.
27:30The
27:30third
27:31memory
27:31stone
27:32lit
27:33up
27:33beside
27:34the
27:34healing
27:35pool.
27:36Limlia
27:36stood
27:37in
27:37my
27:37old
27:38dress.
27:39Vadikor
27:39stood
27:39in
27:40front
27:40of
27:40her
27:40and
27:40said
27:41to
27:41me,
27:41If
27:42you
27:42continue
27:43like
27:43this,
27:44you
27:44do
27:44not
27:44deserve
27:45to
27:45wear
27:45your
27:45father's
27:46crown.
27:46The
27:47memory
27:47stone
27:47carried
27:48his
27:48words
27:49clearly
27:49across
27:50the
27:50entire
27:51square.
27:51Every
27:52wolf
27:52in
27:52the
27:53crowd
27:53lifted
27:53their
27:54head.
27:55The
27:55wolf
27:56clans
27:56valued
27:57loyalty
27:57above
27:57all
27:58else.
28:00And
28:01Vitikor
28:02had
28:02once
28:02sworn
28:03that
28:03his
28:03wolf
28:04soul
28:04bowed
28:04only
28:05to
28:05me.
28:06My
28:07father
28:07stood
28:07on the
28:08high
28:08platform,
28:09his face
28:10colder
28:10than stone.
28:11Vadikor
28:12sank to
28:12his
28:12knees.
28:16Lux,
28:17I was
28:19wrong.
28:20I
28:21looked at
28:21him.
28:22You
28:23wanted
28:23the
28:23king
28:24consort's
28:24crown.
28:26You
28:27wanted
28:27glory
28:27for
28:28your
28:28clans.
28:29You
28:29wanted
28:30to
28:30stand
28:30beside
28:31the
28:31future
28:32queen.
28:33But
28:33again
28:34and
28:34again,
28:35you
28:36pushed
28:36me in
28:36front
28:37of
28:37another
28:37woman
28:37and
28:38humiliated
28:39me.
28:40I
28:41turned
28:41to the
28:42crowd.
28:42The
28:43wolf
28:43throne
28:43has
28:44no
28:44place
28:44for
28:45disloyal
28:45men.
28:46From
28:47this
28:47day
28:47forward,
28:49Cyrus,
28:49Caspar,
28:50and
28:51Vadetikor
28:51are
28:51stripped
28:52of
28:52all
28:52rights
28:53as
28:53consort
28:53candidates.
28:55All
28:55three
28:56men
28:56lifted
28:57their
28:57heads
28:57at
28:57once.
29:00Lux,
29:01your
29:02highness,
29:02please,
29:03do not
29:03do this.
29:05I
29:05did not
29:06look at
29:06them
29:06again.
29:11Instead,
29:12I
29:12placed
29:13the
29:13king
29:13Concord's
29:14crown
29:14on
29:14Atreus'
29:15head.
29:19He
29:20knelt
29:20at
29:20my
29:20feet
29:20and
29:21kissed
29:21my
29:21royal
29:22ring.
29:25I
29:26swear
29:26to
29:26you,
29:26Lux,
29:28I
29:29am
29:29greedy.
29:30I
29:31am
29:31dark.
29:34I
29:34am
29:34never
29:35satisfied.
29:36So
29:37I
29:37will
29:37be
29:37greedy
29:38in
29:38my
29:38loyalty,
29:39dark
29:39in
29:40my
29:40protection,
29:41and
29:42never
29:42satisfied
29:42in
29:43loving
29:43you.
29:43The
29:45square
29:45fell
29:45into
29:46complete
29:46silence.
29:47I
29:47reached
29:48down
29:48and
29:48lifted
29:48his
29:49chin.
29:50Rise,
29:53my
29:53king
29:53consort.
29:55Lilia
29:56knelt
29:56in the
29:56center
29:57of the
29:57square.
29:59You
30:00may
30:00punish
30:00me,
30:01but
30:01you
30:01cannot
30:01do
30:02this
30:02to
30:02them.
30:04You
30:05want
30:05to
30:05plead
30:06for
30:06them.
30:07I
30:08want
30:08to
30:08speak
30:08up
30:08for
30:09them.
30:10Lilia
30:10bit
30:10her
30:11lip,
30:11her
30:12voice
30:12trembling.
30:15I
30:15am
30:16human.
30:17I
30:17do
30:17not
30:18understand
30:18the
30:19rules
30:19of
30:19your
30:19clans
30:20and
30:20consorts.
30:23But
30:23where
30:24I
30:24come
30:24from,
30:25helping
30:26someone,
30:27someone
30:27weaker
30:27than
30:27you,
30:28is
30:28not
30:28betrayal.
30:30She
30:30raised
30:31her
30:31head
30:31to
30:31meet
30:31my
30:32eyes.
30:32They
30:33were
30:33only
30:33being
30:34kind.
30:35They
30:35saw
30:36a
30:36human
30:36woman
30:36struggling
30:37alone
30:37in
30:37the
30:38royal
30:38city,
30:38and
30:39they
30:39helped
30:40me.
30:40You
30:41have
30:41the
30:41crown,
30:42noble
30:42blood,
30:43your
30:44father,
30:44and the
30:45entire
30:45continent
30:46of
30:46Valen.
30:47Why
30:48would
30:48you
30:49destroy
30:49their
30:49lives
30:50over
30:50a
30:50little
30:50jealousy?
30:52Low
30:52whispers
30:53moved
30:54through
30:54the
30:54crowd.
30:55With
30:56human
30:56morality
30:57as
30:57her
30:57weapon,
30:58Lilia
30:58placed
30:59herself
30:59in the
31:00role
31:00of
31:00the
31:00helpless
31:00and
31:01painted
31:02me
31:02as
31:02the
31:02ugly
31:02face
31:03of
31:03power.
31:05Before
31:05I could
31:06speak,
31:06my father
31:07had already
31:07stepped down
31:08from the
31:08platform.
31:10human
31:11healer.
31:12You
31:12stand at
31:13the
31:13coronation
31:14of a
31:14wolf
31:15queen
31:15and
31:16judge
31:16her
31:16by
31:16human
31:17rules?
31:20They
31:21were not
31:21ordinary
31:22men
31:22helping a
31:23stranger
31:23by the
31:23roadside.
31:24They
31:25were
31:25consort
31:26candidates.
31:27They
31:28carried
31:28the
31:28oaths
31:29of
31:29their
31:29clans
31:30and
31:30the
31:30loyalty
31:31owed
31:31to
31:32the
31:32future
31:32queen.
31:35If
31:36you
31:36were
31:36truly
31:37kind,
31:38you
31:39should
31:39have
31:39stepped
31:39away
31:39when
31:40they
31:40crossed
31:40the
31:40line.
31:42Instead,
31:43you
31:43accepted
31:44again
31:44and
31:45again
31:45the
31:45closeness
31:46that
31:46belonged
31:47to
31:47the
31:47queen.
31:48Tears
31:49fell
31:50from
31:50Lillia's
31:50eyes.
31:57I
31:58never
31:58meant
31:59to
31:59take
31:59anyone
32:00from
32:00her.
32:00What
32:02you
32:02meant
32:03no
32:03longer
32:04matters.
32:06Wolf
32:07King
32:07lift
32:07his
32:08hand.
32:09Escort
32:10her
32:10out
32:10of
32:11the
32:11royal
32:11city.
32:12From
32:13this
32:13day
32:13forward,
32:15Lillia
32:16is
32:16forbidden
32:16from
32:17entering
32:17the
32:17wolf
32:18court.
32:20Send
32:20her
32:20back
32:20to
32:21human
32:21territory.
32:22Lillia
32:22stared
32:23in
32:23disbelief
32:24at
32:24Cyrus,
32:25Casper,
32:26and
32:26Vedeticor.
32:28None
32:29of them
32:29spoke
32:30right
32:30away.
32:30because
32:31every
32:32word
32:32my
32:32father
32:32had
32:33spoken
32:33was
32:33true,
32:34and
32:35they
32:35knew
32:35it
32:35now.
32:37Lillia
32:38was
32:38still
32:38crying
32:39when
32:40the
32:40guards
32:40dragged
32:41her
32:41away.
32:43Cyrus!
32:45Casper,
32:46Vedicor!
32:47Say
32:48something!
32:49Cyrus
32:50lowered his
32:51eyes.
32:52Casper's
32:53lips
32:53trembled.
32:55Vedicor's
32:56jaw
32:56tightened,
32:57but he
32:58still did
32:58not
32:58move.
33:02That
33:03night,
33:03the
33:03coronation
33:04banquet
33:05was held
33:05in the
33:05royal city.
33:08The
33:08nobles
33:09hid their
33:09displeasure,
33:10but their
33:11eyes kept
33:11sliding toward
33:12Trichus,
33:13who sat
33:13beside me.
33:15He was
33:16almost
33:16unnervely
33:17well-behaved.
33:20Only
33:20when I
33:21reached for
33:21my wine
33:22did he
33:22replace it
33:23with a
33:23cup of
33:24warm
33:24honey
33:25water.
33:27Afraid
33:28I'll
33:28be
33:28poisoned?
33:34Afraid
33:34you'll
33:35get
33:35drunk?
33:36Tonight
33:37is our
33:37wedding
33:37night.
33:40I
33:40want
33:41you to
33:41remember
33:41it.
33:42Heat
33:43rose to
33:44my
33:44ears.
33:46Atticus!
33:48He
33:49laughed
33:49under his
33:50breath.
33:51Am I
33:51wrong,
33:51your
33:52majesty?
33:53Late
33:53that
33:53night,
33:54moonlight
33:55fell over
33:55the silver
33:56curtains of
33:57my
33:57bedchamber.
33:59Atticus
33:59removed the
34:00heavy crown
34:01from my
34:01head,
34:02his cool
34:02fingers
34:03brushed
34:04through my
34:04hair.
34:06Do you
34:07regret it?
34:08Regret
34:09choosing you?
34:11Yes.
34:13I
34:14looked into
34:14his golden
34:15eyes.
34:16Not
34:17yet.
34:19Atticus
34:20smiled.
34:21His
34:22snake
34:22tail
34:22slid
34:23slowly
34:23from
34:23beneath
34:24his
34:24robe
34:24and
34:25wooled
34:25curled
34:25you
34:25loudly
34:26lightly
34:26round
34:26by
34:26my
34:27ankle,
34:27careful
34:28not
34:28to
34:28tighten.
34:29Then I
34:29will
34:29do
34:30my
34:30best
34:30to
34:31make
34:31sure
34:31you
34:31never
34:32do.
34:33When
34:33the
34:33curtains
34:34fell,
34:35he
34:35lowered
34:35his
34:35head
34:36and
34:36kissed
34:36my
34:36fingertips.
34:38Then
34:39my
34:39wrist,
34:41my
34:41shoulder,
34:44the
34:45center
34:45of my
34:45forehead.
34:47Like
34:48a
34:48snake
34:48finally
34:49permitted
34:49to coil
34:50around
34:50me,
34:50yet
34:51still
34:51holding
34:52back
34:52at
34:52the
34:52last
34:52moment.
34:54He
34:55remembered
34:55I
34:55was
34:56his
34:56queen.
34:58Before
34:58dawn the
34:59next
34:59morning,
35:00urgent
35:00knocking
35:01broke
35:01through
35:01the
35:01chamber
35:02doors.
35:04Your
35:04majesty!
35:08Pups all
35:08over the
35:09royal city
35:09have suddenly
35:10developed
35:10high fevers.
35:11The
35:11healers
35:12can't
35:12bring
35:12them
35:12down.
35:15That
35:16night,
35:16the
35:17coronation
35:17banquet
35:18was held
35:18in the
35:19royal
35:19city.
35:21The
35:21nobles
35:22hid
35:22their
35:22displeasure,
35:23but their
35:24eyes kept
35:24sliding
35:25toward
35:25Tricus,
35:26who sat
35:27beside
35:27me.
35:28He
35:29was
35:29almost
35:30unnervely
35:30well
35:31behaved.
35:33Only
35:33when I
35:34reached
35:34for my
35:34wine
35:35did he
35:36replace
35:36it
35:36with a
35:37cup
35:37of
35:37warm
35:37honey
35:38water.
35:40Afraid
35:41I'll
35:41be
35:42poisoned?
35:47Afraid
35:48you'll
35:48get
35:48drunk?
35:49Tonight
35:50is our
35:50wedding
35:51night.
35:53I
35:54want
35:54you to
35:54remember
35:54it.
35:56Heat
35:56rose to
35:57my
35:57ears.
35:59Atticus!
36:01He
36:02laughed
36:02under his
36:03breath.
36:04Am I
36:04wrong,
36:05your
36:05majesty?
36:06Late
36:06that
36:07night,
36:07moonlight
36:08fell
36:08over the
36:09silver
36:09curtains
36:10of my
36:10bedchamber.
36:12Atticus
36:12removed
36:13the
36:13heavy
36:14crown
36:14from
36:14my
36:14head.
36:15His
36:15cool
36:16fingers
36:16brushed
36:17through
36:17my
36:17hair.
36:19Do you
36:20regret
36:20it?
36:22Regret
36:22choosing
36:23you?
36:24Yes.
36:26I
36:27looked
36:27into
36:28his
36:28golden
36:28eyes.
36:29Not
36:30yet.
36:32Atticus
36:33smiled.
36:34His
36:35snake
36:35tail
36:35slid
36:36slowly
36:36from
36:36beneath
36:37his
36:37robe
36:37and
36:38wool
36:38curled
36:38you
36:38loudly
36:39lightly
36:39round
36:39by
36:39my
36:40ankle,
36:40careful
36:41not
36:41to
36:41tighten.
36:42Then I
36:42will
36:42do
36:43my
36:43best
36:43to
36:44make
36:44sure
36:44you
36:44never
36:45do.
36:46When
36:46the
36:46curtains
36:47fell,
36:48he
36:48lowered
36:48his
36:48head
36:49and
36:49kissed
36:49my
36:49fingertips.
36:51Then
36:52my
36:52wrist,
36:54my
36:54shoulder,
36:57the
36:58center
36:58of my
36:58forehead.
37:01Like a
37:01snake
37:02finally
37:02permitted
37:02to
37:03coil
37:03around
37:03me,
37:04yet
37:04still
37:04holding
37:05back
37:05at the
37:05last
37:05moment.
37:07He
37:08remembered
37:08I was
37:09his
37:09queen.
37:11Before
37:11dawn the
37:12next morning,
37:13urgent knocking
37:14broke through
37:14the chamber
37:15doors.
37:17Your
37:17majesty!
37:21Pups all
37:21over the
37:22royal city
37:22have suddenly
37:23developed high
37:23fevers.
37:24The healers
37:25can't bring
37:25them down!
37:30Atropocus
37:31raised his
37:31hand and
37:32the
37:32snake
37:33guards
37:33dragged
37:34in a
37:34pharmacy
37:34assistant.
37:36The
37:36moment
37:37the
37:37assistant
37:37saw
37:38me,
37:38he
37:38dropped
37:39to
37:39his
37:39knees,
37:40shaking
37:40too
37:41hard
37:41to
37:41speak.
37:44Before
37:44Lilillia
37:45was escorted
37:46out last
37:46night,
37:47she
37:48gave
37:48this
37:48man
37:49a
37:49packet
37:50of
37:50powder.
37:51The
37:51assistant
37:52slammed
37:52his
37:52forehead
37:53to
37:53the
37:53floor
37:54and
37:54sobbed.
38:00mercy,
38:01your
38:01majesty!
38:03Healer!
38:04Lilia
38:05said it
38:05was
38:05medicine
38:06to
38:06prevent
38:06the
38:06pup's
38:07fevers
38:07from
38:07returning
38:08in the
38:08night.
38:11I
38:12didn't
38:12know it
38:13would
38:13do
38:13this!
38:15The
38:15infirmary
38:16fell
38:17completely
38:17silent.
38:19Cyrus'
38:20face
38:20slowly
38:21lost
38:22all
38:22colour.
38:24Casper
38:25shook
38:25his
38:25head.
38:31No.
38:33Lilia
38:34would
38:34never
38:34hurt
38:35children.
38:37Of course
38:38she didn't
38:38intend
38:38for them
38:39to die.
38:45I
38:46walked
38:46to the
38:46pot
38:46of
38:47medicine
38:47and
38:48caught
38:48the
38:48faint
38:48bitter
38:49stent
38:49rising
38:50from
38:50it.
38:51She
38:51only
38:52wanted
38:52everyone
38:52to
38:53learn
38:53that
38:53without
38:53her
38:54the
38:55royal
38:55city
38:55cannot
38:56even
38:56bring
38:56down
38:57a
38:57pup's
38:57fever.
39:00Vaticor
39:00closed
39:01his
39:01eyes.
39:03Lilia
39:03at
39:03Tuptu's
39:04scheme
39:05was
39:05finally
39:05laid
39:06bare
39:06in
39:06front
39:07of
39:07them.
39:08She
39:09had
39:09always
39:09stood
39:10in
39:10the
39:10place
39:10of
39:10the
39:10weak
39:11waiting
39:12for
39:12others
39:12to
39:13defend
39:13her.
39:15I
39:16turned
39:16to
39:16Atticus.
39:17Can
39:18it
39:18be
39:18cured?
39:20He
39:21nodded.
39:22Yes.
39:24But
39:25it
39:25requires
39:25cold
39:25scale
39:26grass
39:26from
39:27the
39:27snake
39:27clan.
39:28Use
39:29it.
39:30I
39:30will
39:31bring
39:31the
39:31guilty
39:31back
39:32to
39:32the
39:32capital
39:33to
39:33face
39:34justice.
39:38By
39:39dusk,
39:41Lilia
39:41was
39:41brought
39:42back
39:43to
39:43the
39:43royal
39:43city.
39:44When
39:45she
39:45was
39:45dragged
39:45into
39:46the
39:46infirmary
39:47and
39:47saw
39:47the
39:47pups
39:47sleeping
39:48weakly
39:48after
39:49their
39:49fevers
39:49had
39:50broke,
39:50her
39:51face
39:51finally
39:52changed.
39:53I
39:53didn't
39:54mean
39:54to
39:54kill
39:54them.
39:56She
39:57sobbed.
39:58I
39:59only
39:59wanted
39:59you
40:00to
40:00know
40:00that
40:00you
40:00need
40:01me.
40:02Casper
40:03looked
40:03at
40:03her
40:03as
40:03if
40:03he
40:04were
40:04seeing
40:04her
40:04for
40:05the
40:05first
40:05time.
40:07Lilia
40:07grabbed
40:07his
40:08sleeve.
40:09Casper,
40:10believe
40:11me,
40:12I
40:12was just
40:13scared.
40:14She
40:15drove
40:15me
40:15away
40:15and
40:16I
40:16had
40:16nothing
40:16left.
40:17Casper
40:18slowly
40:18pulled
40:19his
40:19hand
40:19free.
40:21They
40:22were
40:22children.
40:24Lilia
40:25went
40:25still.
40:26Cyrus
40:27closed
40:27his
40:27eyes.
40:30Vadicor
40:31turned
40:31away
40:32and
40:32would
40:32not
40:32look
40:32at
40:33her.
40:33They
40:34finally
40:35saw
40:35her
40:35for
40:35who
40:35she
40:36really
40:36was.
40:38But
40:38it
40:39was
40:39too
40:39late.
40:40A
40:41mother
40:42slapped
40:42Lilia
40:43across
40:43the
40:43face.
40:46My
40:47child
40:48screamed
40:49all
40:49night
40:50because
40:50of
40:50you.
40:52Lilia
40:52covered
40:53her
40:53cheek
40:53and
40:53looked
40:54toward
40:54the
40:54three
40:54men
40:54again,
40:55waiting
40:56for
40:56someone
40:56to
40:56protect
40:57her.
41:02No
41:02one
41:02moved.
41:04Your
41:05majesty,
41:06the
41:06pups
41:06are
41:07safe
41:07for
41:07now.
41:08The
41:09trial
41:09can
41:10begin
41:10whenever
41:11you
41:11command.
41:12I
41:13looked
41:13at
41:14Lilia's
41:14pale,
41:15shaking
41:15face.
41:18Then
41:18let
41:19all
41:19of
41:19Valon
41:20hear
41:20what
41:20she
41:21has
41:21done.
41:23When
41:24Lilia
41:24was
41:24brought
41:25to
41:25the
41:25judgment
41:25platform,
41:26the
41:27royal
41:27square
41:27was
41:28packed.
41:29The
41:30parents
41:30of
41:31the
41:31pup
41:31she
41:31had
41:31nearly
41:32harmed
41:32knelt
41:33below
41:33the
41:33platform,
41:34their
41:34eyes
41:35swollen
41:35from
41:35tears.
41:37My
41:37father
41:38sat
41:38beside
41:38the
41:39throne.
41:40I
41:40sat
41:41in
41:41the
41:41queen's
41:41seat.
41:43A
41:43trickus
41:43stood
41:44half a
41:44step
41:44behind
41:45me.
41:46Lalia
41:46still
41:47wore
41:47her
41:47faded
41:48healer's
41:48dress.
41:50She
41:51lifted
41:51her
41:51head
41:52and
41:53looked
41:53at
41:53me.
41:57Your
41:58majesty,
41:59I
42:00saved
42:00many
42:01lives.
42:01You
42:02can't
42:02accuse
42:02me
42:03based
42:03solely
42:03on
42:03someone's
42:04word.
42:04I
42:05ordered
42:05the
42:05evidence
42:06to
42:06be
42:06presented.
42:07Black
42:08marsh
42:08heat
42:08wean.
42:10The
42:11pharmacy
42:12assistant's
42:12confession.
42:13confession.
42:14The
42:14spare
42:15powder
42:15hidden
42:16in
42:16her
42:16luggage.
42:17And
42:18the
42:18letter
42:19she
42:19had
42:19written
42:19to
42:20a
42:20human
42:20border
42:20apothetory.
42:22The
42:22letter
42:23was
42:23clear.
42:25If the
42:25wolf
42:26royal city
42:26so
42:27suffered
42:27another
42:28outbreak
42:28of
42:28pup
42:29fever,
42:29she
42:30would
42:30return
42:30as
42:30the
42:30only
42:31healer
42:31capable
42:32of
42:32saving
42:32them.
42:33By
42:34then,
42:35everyone
42:36would
42:36beg
42:36her.
42:38including
42:39me.
42:41Casper
42:42finally
42:42could not
42:43hold
42:43back.
42:47Why?
42:49Lila
42:50looked at
42:50him,
42:51and tears
42:52spilled
42:52down her
42:52face.
42:56Because
42:57I was
42:57angry.
43:01I
43:02saved
43:02so many
43:03people,
43:04yet one
43:05word from
43:06her could
43:06drive
43:06me
43:07out.
43:08Why?
43:09Just
43:10because
43:10she is
43:11queen!
43:13Because
43:14I am
43:14queen,
43:14I am
43:15responsible
43:15for the
43:16pups of
43:16this
43:17city.
43:18You
43:18were
43:18allowed
43:19to be
43:19angry.
43:20You
43:21were
43:21allowed
43:21to
43:21hate
43:22me.
43:23You
43:24were
43:24allowed
43:24to
43:24return
43:24to
43:25human
43:25territory
43:25and
43:26begin
43:26again.
43:27But
43:28you
43:28chose
43:28to
43:29endanger
43:29children.
43:31The
43:32square
43:32fell
43:33into
43:33dead
43:33silence.
43:37I
43:38lifted
43:38my
43:39hand.
43:40Lillia,
43:40your
43:41healer's
43:41status is
43:42revoked.
43:47Your
43:48right to
43:48enter
43:48clan
43:49territory
43:49is
43:49stripped.
43:50In
43:51three
43:51days,
43:52you
43:52will be
43:53escorted
43:53to the
43:53human
43:54border
43:54and
43:54handed
43:55over to
43:55the
43:55border
43:55court
43:56for
43:56judgment.
44:01Cyrus
44:02suddenly
44:02knelt.
44:04Your
44:05majesty,
44:05I
44:06request
44:06punishment.
44:07Casper
44:08nailed
44:08as
44:09well.
44:09Vedicore
44:10knelt
44:10last and
44:11his
44:12knees
44:12hit the
44:12ground
44:12the
44:13hardest.
44:15The
44:16main
44:16wolf
44:16bloodline
44:17accepts
44:18responsibility
44:18for
44:19negligence.
44:20I
44:20looked
44:20at
44:21them.
44:21Once,
44:23seeing
44:24them
44:24kneel
44:24before
44:24me
44:25would
44:25have
44:25made
44:25me
44:25happy.
44:27Now,
44:27I
44:28felt
44:28only
44:29calm.
44:30Of
44:31course
44:31you
44:31will
44:31be
44:31punished.
44:33Cyrus,
44:34the
44:34Eagle
44:35clan
44:35is
44:35responsible
44:36for
44:36aerial
44:36patrols
44:37over
44:37the
44:37royal
44:38city.
44:39Lylia
44:40left
44:40and
44:40re-entered
44:41the
44:41city
44:41without
44:42your
44:42men
44:42detecting
44:43her
44:43in
44:43time.
44:45From
44:45this
44:46day
44:46forward,
44:48the
44:49Eagle
44:49clan's
44:50right
44:50to
44:50patrol
44:51royal
44:51air
44:51space
44:52is
44:52suspended
44:53for
44:53three
44:53years
44:54and
44:55placed
44:55under
44:55direct
44:56crown
44:56control.
44:58Cyrus
44:58lowered
44:59his
44:59head.
45:01Yes,
45:01your
45:01majesty.
45:03Casper,
45:05the
45:05White
45:06Tiger
45:06clan
45:06provided
45:07Lila
45:08with
45:08medicinal
45:08herbs
45:09and
45:09allowed
45:09her
45:09to
45:10test
45:10medicines,
45:11yet
45:11never
45:12inspected
45:12the
45:13powders
45:13she
45:13kept
45:14hidden.
45:15The
45:15White
45:15Tiger
45:16clan's
45:16medicinal
45:17fusion
45:17will be
45:17doubled.
45:18All
45:19clan
45:19herb
45:20gardens
45:20will be
45:20managed
45:21by
45:21the
45:21Royal
45:21Medical
45:22Office
45:22for
45:22one
45:23year
45:23and
45:23you
45:24Casper
45:24will
45:25serve
45:25at
45:26the
45:26northern
45:26border
45:26medical
45:27camp
45:27for
45:27three
45:28years.
45:29No
45:30palace
45:30room,
45:31no
45:31White
45:31Tiger
45:32privilege.
45:33You
45:33will
45:34treat
45:34the
45:34soldiers
45:34and
45:35pups
45:35your
45:35negligence
45:36endangered.
45:37Yes,
45:37your
45:38majesty.
45:39Last,
45:39I looked
45:40at
45:40Vadikor.
45:41Vadikor,
45:42you
45:43brought
45:43Liliya
45:43into
45:44the
45:44inner
45:44palace,
45:45used
45:46my
45:46healing
45:47pool
45:47without
45:47permission
45:48and
45:49opened
45:49the
45:49door
45:50that
45:50never
45:50should
45:50have
45:50been
45:51opened.
45:51From
45:52this
45:52day
45:52forward,
45:53you
45:53are
45:53removed
45:54as
45:54commander
45:55of
45:55the
45:55royal
45:55guard.
45:56Your
45:56wolf
45:57crest
45:57will
45:57be
45:57stripped
45:57from
45:58the
45:58royal
45:58guard
45:59rolls.
46:00Until
46:00the
46:00wolf
46:01council
46:01decides
46:02otherwise,
46:02you
46:02will
46:02live
46:03outside
46:03the
46:03pack
46:04as
46:04a
46:04lone
46:04wolf.
46:05For
46:06a
46:06wolf
46:06born
46:07inside
46:07the
46:07main
46:07blood
46:08line,
46:08there
46:09was
46:09no
46:09harsher
46:10exile
46:10than
46:11being
46:11cut
46:12off
46:12from
46:12the
46:12pack's
46:13name.
46:14Vedicor's
46:15throat
46:15moved.
46:16In
46:16the
46:16end,
46:17he
46:17lowered
46:18his
46:18head.
46:21Yes,
46:22your
46:22majesty.
46:24Three
46:25days
46:25later,
46:26Lillia
46:27was
46:27escorted
46:28out of
46:28the
46:28royal
46:28city.
46:30Lilla
46:31thought
46:31human
46:32territory
46:32would
46:33welcome
46:33her.
46:34The
46:35moment
46:35the
46:36Valon
46:36guards
46:36handed
46:37her to
46:37the
46:37border
46:38court,
46:38she
46:39lifted
46:39her
46:39chin
46:40and
46:40forced
46:40tears
46:41into
46:41her
46:41eyes.
46:43I
46:44was
46:44only
46:44a
46:44human
46:45woman
46:45trapped
46:45in
46:45a
46:46beast
46:46city.
46:48They
46:49hated
46:49me
46:50because
46:50I
46:50saved
46:50lives.
46:53No
46:53one
46:54answered.
46:56The
46:57human
46:57magistrate
46:58opened
46:58the
46:59sealed
46:59Valon
46:59report
47:00and
47:01read
47:01the
47:01charges
47:01aloud.
47:04You
47:04added
47:05Black
47:05Marsh
47:05heat
47:06weed
47:06to
47:06medicine
47:07meant
47:07for
47:07wolf
47:08pups.
47:09You
47:10caused
47:10a
47:10citywide
47:11fever
47:11outbreak.
47:12to prove
47:13they
47:13needed
47:13you.
47:14The
47:14crowd
47:14outside
47:15the
47:15court
47:15exploded.
47:16She
47:17poisoned
47:18children!
47:19And
47:20she
47:20calls
47:20herself
47:21a
47:21healer?
47:22Lillia's
47:23face
47:23went
47:24white.
47:25They
47:25were
47:26beasts.
47:27Their
47:27queen
47:29twisted
47:30everything.
47:34A
47:35human
47:35healer
47:35stepped
47:36forward
47:36and tore
47:37the
47:37healer's
47:37ribbon
47:38from
47:38Lillia's
47:38sleeve.
47:40A
47:41child
47:42in
47:42pain
47:42is
47:42still
47:43a
47:43child.
47:45You
47:46do
47:46not
47:46get
47:46to
47:47wear
47:47our
47:47mark.
47:48Lillia
47:49reached
47:49for
47:49the
47:49ribbon
47:50but
47:51the
47:51guard
47:51shoved
47:52her
47:52back.
47:56Stand
47:57down.
47:58Until
47:59the
47:59final
47:59trial
48:00you
48:00will
48:00serve
48:01in
48:01the
48:01quarantine
48:01tents
48:02under
48:02guard.
48:03Lillia
48:04stared
48:04at
48:04him.
48:05You
48:06want
48:06me
48:07to
48:07treat
48:07fever
48:08patients?
48:10No.
48:11You
48:12will
48:12scrub
48:12the
48:13floors
48:13beneath
48:13them.
48:19When
48:19Cyrus
48:20returned
48:20to the
48:21eagle
48:21tower
48:21no
48:22one
48:22came
48:22to
48:23welcome
48:23him.
48:24The
48:24black
48:25winged
48:25guards
48:26stood
48:26in
48:26two
48:27silent
48:27lines.
48:28At
48:29the
48:29center
48:29of
48:29the
48:30hall
48:30the
48:31eagle
48:31eagle
48:31elder
48:32placed
48:32the
48:32royal
48:33order
48:33on
48:33the
48:33table.
48:37Three
48:38years.
48:40For
48:41three
48:41years
48:41the
48:42eagle
48:43clan
48:43cannot
48:43patrol
48:44the
48:44royal
48:45sky.
48:46A
48:46young
48:47eagle
48:47noble
48:47could
48:48not
48:48hold
48:48back.
48:50Because
48:51you
48:51hung
48:51a
48:51consort
48:52candidate's
48:52pass
48:53outside
48:53a
48:54human
48:54healer's
48:54door.
48:55Cyrus
48:56did
48:56not
48:57argue.
48:57Our
48:58clan
48:58kept
48:58the
48:59royal
48:59air
48:59space
48:59for
49:00generations.
49:01Your
49:02father
49:02earned
49:02that
49:02route
49:03with
49:03blood.
49:03You
49:04lost
49:04it
49:05for
49:05a
49:05woman
49:05who
49:06poisoned
49:06pups.
49:08Cyrus
49:08lowered
49:09his
49:09head.
49:10I
49:10will
49:10accept
49:11whatever
49:11punishment
49:12the
49:12clan
49:12gives
49:12me.
49:15The
49:15elder
49:16took
49:16the
49:16sky
49:17blagger
49:17from
49:17Cyrus's
49:18chest.
49:20roger
49:21will
49:21not
49:21command
49:22a
49:22patrol.
49:23You
49:24will
49:24not
49:24enter
49:25the
49:25royal
49:25city
49:26without
49:27written
49:27permission.
49:29And
49:30when the
49:30young
49:30ones
49:31ask
49:31why
49:31our
49:32banners
49:32no
49:32longer
49:33fly
49:33over
49:34Valon,
49:34they
49:35will
49:35hear
49:36your
49:36name.
49:37Cyrus's
49:38black
49:38wings
49:38trembled
49:39once.
49:40Outside
49:40the
49:41window,
49:41royal
49:42guards
49:42crossed
49:42the sky
49:43routes
49:43that
49:44had
49:44once
49:44belonged
49:44to
49:45him.
49:45For
49:46the
49:46first
49:47time,
49:48Cyrus
49:48understood
49:49what
49:49Lux
49:49had
49:50meant.
49:51He
49:52had
49:52not
49:52protected
49:53the
49:53weak.
49:54He
49:55had
49:55handed
49:56the
49:56queen's
49:56authority
49:57to
49:57a
49:57liar.
49:58And
49:59now
49:59his
49:59whole
50:00clan
50:00had
50:00to
50:00bow
50:01beneath
50:01that
50:02shame.
50:06The
50:06northern
50:07border
50:07did not
50:07care that
50:08Caspar
50:08had once
50:09been
50:09beautiful.
50:10The
50:10wind
50:11cut
50:11through
50:11his
50:11white
50:12cloak
50:12within
50:12the
50:12first
50:13hour.
50:13By
50:14nightfall,
50:15his
50:16hands
50:16were
50:16cracked
50:16from
50:17carrying
50:17water
50:18and
50:18washing
50:18blood
50:19from
50:19bandages.
50:25An
50:26injured
50:26pup
50:26was
50:27carried
50:27into
50:27the
50:27tent,
50:28shaking
50:29with
50:29fever
50:29from
50:29a
50:30border
50:30wound.
50:31Caspar
50:32stepped
50:32forward
50:32at
50:32once.
50:37Let
50:38me
50:38help.
50:43The
50:44pup's
50:44mother
50:45pulled
50:45the
50:45child
50:45back.
50:49You
50:49are
50:50the
50:50white
50:50tiger
50:50who
50:51protected
50:51Lillia.
50:53My
50:53sister's
50:54son
50:54almost
50:55died
50:55in the
50:56royal
50:56city.
50:57It's
50:58all
50:58your
50:58fault
50:59and
51:00that
51:00human
51:01vipers.
51:03I'm
51:04sorry.
51:10The
51:11northern
51:11captain
51:12entered
51:12with
51:12snow
51:13on
51:13his
51:13armor.
51:15If
51:15you
51:15want
51:16them
51:16to
51:16trust
51:16your
51:16hands,
51:18work
51:18until
51:19your
51:19hands
51:19are
51:19worth
51:20trusting.
51:21For
51:22the
51:22rest
51:22of
51:23the
51:23night,
51:23Caspar
51:24cleaned
51:24wounds,
51:25boiled
51:26medicine,
51:27and
51:27carried
51:27fever
51:28water
51:28from
51:28tent
51:29to
51:29tent.
51:32On
51:32the
51:33first
51:33full
51:33moon
51:34after
51:34the
51:34trial,
51:35Vededicors
51:36stood
51:36outside
51:37the
51:37wolf
51:37clan
51:38gates.
51:39Inside
51:40the
51:40walls,
51:41the
51:41pack
51:41gathered
51:42for
51:42the
51:42moon
51:42run.
51:44Once,
51:45young
51:45wolves
51:46had
51:46stepped
51:47aside
51:47when
51:47he
51:47passed.
51:49Tonight,
51:50the
51:50gate
51:51stayed
51:51closed.
51:55The
51:56wolf
51:56elder
51:56walked
51:57out
51:57with
51:57two
51:57guards.
51:59In
52:00his
52:00hand
52:00was
52:00Vedicor's
52:01broken
52:01guard
52:02crest.
52:02The
52:03queen
52:04has
52:05removed
52:05you
52:06from
52:06the
52:06royal
52:06guard.
52:07The
52:08wolf
52:08council
52:11has
52:12accepted
52:13her
52:13sentence.
52:14Am I
52:15forbidden
52:15from the
52:16pack run?
52:17The elder
52:18looked at him
52:19without pity.
52:21You
52:21have been
52:22banished
52:23from the
52:24pack.
52:24Behind
52:25the gate,
52:26the wolves
52:27howled.
52:28Vedicor's
52:28inner wolf
52:29answered by
52:30instinct,
52:30but the
52:31sound broke
52:32in his
52:32throat.
52:33He
52:34shifted
52:34into wolf
52:35form and
52:36stood alone
52:36in the
52:36snow,
52:37never be
52:38accepted by
52:39the pack
52:39again.
52:43The
52:44bells of
52:45the royal
52:45city rang
52:46again.
52:48I
52:49stood on
52:49the city
52:49wall and
52:50watched
52:51Valon's
52:51banners
52:52unfold in
52:53the wind.
52:54Once,
52:55I thought
52:56love meant
52:56possession.
52:58If I
52:59ordered
52:59someone to
53:00stay,
53:00they could
53:01not leave.
53:03Then they
53:03told me I
53:04was spoiled,
53:05arrogant,
53:07too blind to
53:07cherish what
53:08I had.
53:09Now I had
53:10learnt better.
53:12Love could
53:12not be
53:13commanded by
53:14a crown.
53:15Loyalty should
53:16never have to
53:16be begged
53:17for on my
53:17knees.
53:18I could
53:19lose Cyrus.
53:21I could
53:21lose Casper.
53:24I could
53:25lose Vedicor.
53:27The crown
53:28would not
53:29fall.
53:30My wolf
53:31spirit would
53:32not go
53:32out.
53:34Atticus
53:35stood half
53:35a step
53:35behind me.
53:37That was
53:37where a
53:38king consort
53:39belonged.
53:40When I
53:41needed him,
53:42he was
53:42there.
53:44When I
53:45did not,
53:46he waited.
53:49I asked
53:50him,
53:51Attius,
53:52do you
53:53know what
53:53needs to
53:53be king
53:54consort?
53:54It means
53:56I will
53:56always
53:56stand
53:57behind my
53:59queen.
54:00He paused,
54:01then bent
54:02close to
54:02my ear.
54:04And it
54:04also means
54:05I get to
54:05sleep beside
54:06her at
54:06night.
54:09Atticus
54:10lowered his
54:11head,
54:12golden snake
54:13eyes reflecting
54:13my crown.
54:17Lux,
54:19I will
54:20not teach
54:21you to
54:21bow your
54:21head.
54:23I will
54:23never say
54:24you ask
54:25for too
54:25much.
54:27If you
54:28want loyalty,
54:29I will
54:29give you
54:30loyalty.
54:30If you
54:31want all
54:31of Valon
54:32to watch
54:32the snake
54:33clan kneel
54:33at your
54:34feet,
54:36then I
54:36will kneel.
54:41rise.
54:41When he
54:42finished,
54:42he truly
54:43dropped to
54:44one knee
54:44on the
54:45city wall.
54:46This time,
54:47he was not
54:48kneeling for
54:49ceremony.
54:50Not for the
54:51nobles watching.
54:52It was only
54:53for me.
54:57I reached
54:58out and
54:58lifted his
54:59chain.
55:03Rise.
55:06My
55:07King
55:07Consort.
55:08Far
55:09off,
55:09at the
55:10edge of
55:11the
55:11snowstorm,
55:12all of
55:13my former
55:14candidates
55:14got what
55:15they deserved.
55:16I did
55:17not look
55:18again.
55:20My
55:20story with
55:21them was
55:22over,
55:23and my
55:23throne,
55:24my wolf
55:25spirit.
55:27My
55:27new
55:28King
55:28Consort,
55:29and all
55:30of
55:30Valon,
55:31were
55:31waiting for
55:32me to
55:32move
55:33forward.
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